{"id":1039926,"date":"2026-10-29T02:21:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T02:21:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/1039926\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T02:21:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T02:21:20","slug":"rams-bring-back-josh-karty-amid-kicking-chaos-as-former-starter-reveals-hidden-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/1039926\/","title":{"rendered":"Rams bring back Josh Karty amid kicking chaos as former starter reveals hidden injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Rams have gone through kickers this season<\/a> like a frustrated gambler shuffling through lottery tickets, desperately searching for a winner.<\/p>\n

Now, after cycling through three different kickers in three weeks, they\u2019ve decided to reach into their past and give Josh Karty another shot.<\/p>\n

But Karty isn\u2019t the same kicker the Rams sent packing almost one year ago to the day. At least, that\u2019s what he believes.<\/p>\n

The Rams signed their former starting kicker to the practice squad Wednesday, adding another intriguing wrinkle to a special teams circus that has become one of the team\u2019s biggest headaches over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

Harrison Mevis started the season before being released.<\/a> Blake Grupe replaced him, only to suffer a season-ending torn ACL<\/a> on his first kickoff. Veteran Brandon McManus arrived before Sunday\u2019s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, and now Karty is back in the building.<\/p>\n

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\"LosLos Angeles Rams kicker Josh Karty (16) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima<\/p>\n

Four kickers, in three weeks, and the Rams are still searching for answers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was dealing with some stuff last year, and I learned a lot about myself and how to grow and mature in all parts of my game,\u201d Karty told reporters Wednesday.<\/p>\n

That included a previously undisclosed hip issue that Karty admitted he probably should have rested instead of attempting to play through during his first stint with Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think last year I was dealing with a little hip thing that I probably should have just rested for a bit,\u201d Karty said. \u201cBut I was a young guy, and I just didn\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now healthy, Karty believes he\u2019s better equipped to handle the pressure of kicking in the NFL.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just healthier, and I think I\u2019m a better kicker than I was at this time last year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

But the most fascinating part of Karty\u2019s return might not involve field goals at all.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s his unusual knuckleball kickoff, a soccer-inspired technique that could give the Rams a weapon they\u2019ve desperately needed while struggling with kickoff coverage throughout the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine the kickoffs were a large factor in the decision,\u201d Karty said, admitting he can\u2019t reveal too much regarding why the Rams called him on Tuesday to rejoin the team.<\/p>\n

As for the secret behind the technique?<\/p>\n

\u201cJust try to pretend it\u2019s like a free kick in soccer and knuckle that thing over the wall,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

McVay acknowledged Wednesday that Karty\u2019s special teams value factored into the decision to bring him back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking to increase and figure out ways to improve some of the areas that need to be improved upon,\u201d McVay said.<\/p>\n

What areas do the Rams need to improve upon? McVay made it clear on Monday it was kickoffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not google enough,\u201d McVay said about the Rams kickoffs and coverage. \u201cWe\u2019ve talked about this a lot and it has to get fixed. It\u2019s not good enough and we cannot allow ourselves to do that. It\u2019s one of those deals that\u2019s driving me crazy. We have to figure it out and we haven\u2019t yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

In trying to figure it out, that opens the door to an unusual possibility: The Rams could carry two kickers on their active game-day roster Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.<\/p>\n

\"LosLos Angeles Rams placekicker Josh Karty (16) kicks off against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima<\/p>\n

McManus could remain the primary field-goal kicker, while Karty handles kickoffs, potentially using his knuckleball technique to create difficult returns and help a coverage unit that has repeatedly surrendered favorable field position.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an unconventional arrangement, particularly for an NFL team already juggling injuries and limited roster spots, but the Rams have reached the point where conventional solutions haven\u2019t exactly worked.<\/p>\n

If Karty can prove his kickoff value while demonstrating improved accuracy and consistency on field goals, he could eventually reclaim the starting job outright. His leg strength could also give Los Angeles another option on attempts beyond 50 yards, and potentially from 60-plus, although he\u2019d still have to prove that range under game conditions.<\/p>\n

For now, Karty isn\u2019t making any demands or guarantees.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just ready for whatever comes my way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Rams have spent much of this season searching for a kicker they can trust. In a strange twist, their answer might be the same guy they already had this time last year.<\/p>\n

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